HOLDING HANDS WITH JESUS AS WE LOVE, LEARN AND GROW TOGETHER
At St Columba, Prayer and liturgy is a vital aspect of our Catholic ethos. It encapsulates our commitment to having meaningful celebrations ensuring that Jesus Christ is at the centre of our school life and mission.
Prayer and liturgy takes on a range of forms to ensure children have extensive opportunities to communicate with God through prayer.
There are three main characteristics: Prayer, Celebration of the Word and Liturgy.
Prayer
Prayer is an uplifting way of speaking to God; prayer isn’t just about asking God for something but praising him, expressing gratitude and worship. It involves our whole person.
“Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (GNB)
Staff and Children at St Columba are invited to recognise God’s will and actions within their lives at school, at home, in their local and parish community. They are able to respond, express and offer thanks to God during their prayer time.
Children will say communal prayers at the start of the day, before lunch and at the end of the day. These prayer times are familiar to children since they are part of their routine and they have a clear structure.
There is also times for unprompted prayer time when children are able to go to our prayer/ reflection areas.
Each class has a prayer booklet to enable children to practise their faith, learn structures of prayers, explore different types of prayers, promote daily praying and to encourage spiritual growth.
Celebration of the Word
At the start of each celebration, it is important to highlight the symbols of Candle, Cross and the Word, which will be presented on our prayer and liturgy table.
There are four parts to Celebration of the Word:
Gather-Listen-Respond-Mission
Gather:
We gather together as a community, in a calm setting to celebrate the Word.
Listen:
We listen to the words God speaks to us all while reflecting on what God is telling us.
Respond:
We respond to what we have heard and communicate that God is at work through the proclamation of scripture.
Mission:
We are moved by God’s words and go into the world to proclaim the Gospel. Essentially, we help others take the message of God away with them.
Celebration of the Word takes place both in class and as a whole school, in the form of assemblies, Mass visits, services and other occasions.
Children in KS2, will either participate or lead Celebration of the Word depending on their skills and knowledge.
We have decided upon the themes for our worship based on ‘To Love You More Dearly’ (The Prayer and Liturgy Directory), which is threaded through ‘To Know You More Clearly’ (Religious Education Directory).
Liturgy
The most recognised forms of liturgy celebrated within a school are Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Each week, two classes will attend Mass on either a Tuesday or Thursday familiarising and embedding their knowledge and understanding on liturgy. Masses are also celebrated at other times throughout the year. For example, Advent and Holy Days.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated in May for the first time with our Year 4 children following a period of formation led by Parish catechists, school staff and parents/carers.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist will be celebrated, for the first time for Year 4 children, shortly after Reconciliation. Again, this is led by Parish catechists, school staff and parents/carers.